Sefton Council's Cabinet last week approved a Community Assets Policy, along with the identification of the next phase of opportunities for community organisations to help shape the future of Community across the borough. 

This means that the Council will soon be inviting those local groups to submit Expressions of Interest in four properties. They are the former Ainsdale Library building, the Conservatory in Southport’s Hesketh Park, the Community Kitchen at Cambridge Road Adult Education Centre in Seaforth and a former public toilet block at Duke Street Park in Formby.

Long-term benefits for local people

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills, said: “This policy means community organisations, charities and social enterprises can take on the management of Council-owned buildings and facilities for operation in ways that will deliver long-term benefits for local people. 

"It supports the enhancement of places and assets with untapped potential, and it supports community partners with the provision of facilities that enable them to deliver positive outputs and outcomes for communities.”

The Community Kitchen at Cambridge Road Adult Education Centre already plays an important role in learning and community activity. The Council is looking for a partner to operate the Kitchen, providing affordable food and refreshments while supporting learning, volunteering and social connection. It’s expected the successful organisation will deliver a community-focused service while creating opportunities for learners, volunteers and local residents.

At Duke Street Park in Formby, the Council wants to see a sustainable community organisation proposal that supports and adds value to the wide range of recreational activities already taking place across the park.

In Ainsdale, community organisations will be invited to consider how Ainsdale Library and the adjacent standalone public toilet block could serve local people through a sustainable, community-focused model that supports learning, inclusion and access to services.

Meanwhile, opportunities will also be explored for Hesketh Park Conservatory, one of Southport's most recognisable historic buildings. The Council believes a community-led approach could help unlock new opportunities for the conservatory while preserving its important place at the heart of the park.

Process about much more than buildings

Cllr Lappin added: "This process is about much more than buildings. It is about creating social value, supporting volunteers, improving wellbeing, developing skills and bringing people together.

"These four assets have the potential to play an important role in their communities. What we want now is to hear, from local organisations, ideas that will help them flourish for years to come.

"Last week's decision does not determine the future use of any of these facilities. Instead, it begins a process through which interested organisations will be able to come forward with proposals that demonstrate how they would manage and develop these assets for the benefit of local people."

Considering the wider benefits

Cllr Liz Dowd, Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnership Engagement, said: “Another key part of the process is social value. This means looking beyond the financial costs of running a building and considering the wider benefits it can bring. 

“These include improving wellbeing, supporting learning and skills, creating volunteering opportunities, strengthening community connections and helping people access services and activities closer to home.”

Expressions of Interest  

Following last week's approval of the updated process, the Council will soon begin an open expression of interest process. Eligible organisations will be invited to outline how they would manage the facilities, demonstrate their experience and capacity, and show how their proposals would deliver lasting benefits for local communities.

Submissions received will be assessed against a range of criteria, including community benefit, social value, financial sustainability and the ability to protect and enhance the asset for future generations.

You can find out more about the process here.

Further details on how organisations can express an interest in the four facilities will be published soon.